SuperPhillip Central Best of 2015 Awards - Top Five Platformers

The platformer is my favorite genre in gaming, whether it is the classic 2D or more modern 3D variety. It only makes sense then that I devote an entire top five list to the best platformers of the past year. Thankfully, like last year, there were more than enough platformers to consider for this year's list. Read on, and see which five platformers released in 2015 satisfied my need to run and jump the best.

5) Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash (3DS)

I ended up liking Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash a lot more than I thought I would. Annoyances like the level roulette and some vehicle stages hampered some of my enjoyment, but the gameplay and level design otherwise were so top notch that the overall product was more than entertaining for me. Using Chibi-Robo's plug to whip enemies, pull himself to faraway platforms, and interact with the environment were nice touches and great innovations to this 2D platformer. The levels were as creative as the challenging boss battles, especially if you wanted to find everything in the game, which isn't an easy task. It all makes for a 2D platformer on the 3DS that was way more likable than I was expecting it to be.

4) Adventures of Pip (Multi)

Like Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash, this next game appeared on my Top Five Biggest Surprises list. Adventures of Pip by Tic Toc Games was an atypical platformer featuring a really cool gimmick where the main character Pip would transform into different resolution forms, like 8-bit and 16-bit. Each form had its own benefits and drawbacks, and while transforming wasn't manually done (you had to hit a specific object to change forms), this allowed the developers to design levels that had you turning into the right form for the right task at hand. With multiple paths in levels, hidden townspeople to save, and incredible design, Adventures of Pip is my fourth favorite platformer from 2015.

3) Freedom Planet (Wii U eShop)

Did anyone call for a Sonic the Hedgehog fan game turned amazing unique platformer? Well, I actually didn't, and I ended up amazed by the end result that was GalaxyTrail's Freedom Planet anyway. With sizable levels with plenty of loops, curves, ramps, obstacles, enemies, and secrets, Freedom Planet satiated my hunger for a fast-paced, action-based platformer that got rid of a lot of the gripes I had with 2D Sonic, such as the more recent inclusion of various bottomless pits. Freedom Planet lacked those for the most part, offering challenge through tough boss battles, other platforming peril, and dangerous obstacles. Freedom Planet wowed me immensely, and it makes me excited to see how the recently announced sequel will shape up.

2) Yoshi's Woolly World (Wii U)

I argue that this next game is almost as good if not better than its predecessor, Yoshi's Island. That might be blasphemy to some fans of the Yoshi series, but Yoshi's Woolly World is an astonishingly great game that rivals the fun, quality levels, and feel of the Super Nintendo classic. The levels are designed superbly, making those who seek out their secrets enjoy the game even more than they would already. The level of creativity developer Good Feel showed with this game is off the charts, and it's a sizable reason why Yoshi's Woolly World is one of the best platformers of 2015.

1) Super Mario Maker (Wii U)

While the game is more of a creator than a platforming game, Mario's platforming prowess in Super Mario Maker is still as fantastic as ever. The tightness and responsiveness of the controls is pretty much unmatched across all four game types available in the package. The added ability to create and play shared levels is an amazing bonus that has resulted in countless hours of playing and enjoying all the running, jumping, Goomba-smashing, Koopa Troopa-bashing goodness that is almost always found in the Super Mario series.

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2015 Awards - Top Five Biggest Surprises

The second of two lists being posted today as part of the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2015 Awards is here! Some games come out of nowhere and floor you with their quality. You go in not expecting anything or expect something negative, and you're blown away by how good the game is. That is the modus operandi of these next five games, the biggest surprises in 2015.

5) Adventures of Pip (Multi)

We start this list of five games with Adventures of Pip, a downloadable delight for a myriad of home consoles as well as PC. The game is a standard 2D platformer, but the real fun comes from interacting with different objects that turn the titular character into different pixel forms, such as 8-bit and 16-bit. The latter is great for breaking big blocks, though it lacks the maneuverability and is quite heavy. Many rooms of the game's levels require switching between multiple forms at once to solve environmental and platforming puzzles. I didn't doubt that Adventures of Pip might be good. I did doubt that it'd be one of my favorite releases this year.

4) Freedom Planet (Wii U eShop)

Another digital game, Freedom Planet started out as a fan project before turning into a serious indie game, somewhat similar in gameplay to the Genesis Sonic the Hedgehog games in some regards. I knew I would probably enjoy the game because of its influences, but I never would have dared to hazard the guess that I would like the game as much as I did. Yes, the levels drag on a bit too long, and they should have been split up into more bite-sized chunks. Other than that, I have no real complaints about this terrific and charming 2D platformer.

3) Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash (3DS)

After hearing and reading complaint after complaint about Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash's level select system, I didn't think I would find myself so attracted to the game. I was wrong with my thought process, as not only can the level roulette be cheesed with coins or proper timing, but the actual gameplay is quite remarkable. Using Chibi-Robo's plug to whip enemies into shape, grab onto ledges, and pull himself across chasms was innovative for this storied genre of gaming, and while the vehicle stages left something to be desired overall, ultimately I found much joy playing Zip Lash. Don't think of it merely as a game to sell an amiibo. It's a rather good 2D platformer.

2) Until Dawn (PS4)

A choose-your-own-adventure-type game for fans of horror movies, filled with the typical tropes one would expect, along with some curve balls that many would not, Until Dawn was one of the biggest sleeper hits of the year. It proved to be an excellent title to add to the exclusives of the PlayStation 4, and became a popular game to stream for many players. Every choice, no matter how simple, leads to the conclusion and affects the eight characters placed together in the game.

1) Splatoon (Wii U)

Between being a new IP, being on a struggling system, and having countless folks saying that the game would bomb, Splatoon managed to be a success. Not just that, but it also managed to be way more fun than it had any right to be. While the launch offered a handful of maps, the post-release content-- all free, by the way-- has added a seemingly endless amount of gear and weapons options, as well as a total of 15 maps thus far. Splatoon is as addicting and original a third-person shooter can get, and it's a total blast to dive into the mechanics and the hidden depth. No doubt the success of Splatoon has surprised many, including Nintendo itself.

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2015 Awards - Top Five Most Overlooked Games

SuperPhillip Central seemingly is constantly talking about overlooked games. In fact, the site holds a Most Overlooked Games segment, detailing titles from current gen to past gens, console and handheld. Regardless, even with my best effort, titles slip between the cracks and fail to deliver impressive sales. The five titles on this list are overlooked to varying degrees, whether by consumers or by gamers at large. Perhaps through reading this list you can be persuaded to try out one or all of these games you might have missed out on!

5) Yoshi's Woolly World (Wii U)

The main issue with the first game on this list not seeing as great of success as it could have was that Nintendo of America delayed the release compared to both Japan and PAL territories. While Yoshi's Woolly World released in those two areas of the world in the summer, North American gamers had to wait until this past fall. What further complicates things is that a lot of critics blew through the game, not bothering to go after collecting the well hidden goodies, which is a totally different and better experience than just beating the levels. It is these reasons that Yoshi's Woolly World makes it to the starting position on this Most Overlooked Games of 2015 countdown.

4) Fossil Fighters: Frontier (3DS)

Battling dinosaurs-- excuse me-- Vivosaurs, like Pokemon is a very exciting prospect. It didn't lead to sales, but it did have an awesome commercial (your mileage may vary), so at least there was some kind of victory to be found. Exploring multiple parks, unearthing fossils buried deep in the soil, bringing said fossils to life as powerful Vivosaurs, and watching them battle one another in fierce combat made for some enjoyable times for SuperPhillip Central. Unfortunately, all this did not make the sales of Fossil Fighters: Frontier anything to boast about. This is disappointing, as the game is quite entertaining and should have had a great impact especially with the kiddies.

3) Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash (3DS)

Nintendo developers said that this game was essentially Chibi-Robo's last chance to shine. Sales were less than impressive, to put it kindly, so we might not be seeing Nintendo's small helper robot again for a while. A true shame, as the game was more than a decent 2D platformer, offering a unique hook with Chibi-Robo's whip that could pull him to far away platforms, defeat enemies, and nab collectibles. Rightfully so, Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash was raked over the coals for its ludicrous level select system and some less than stellar vehicle levels, but if you can get past those two things (the former can be cheesed for maximum enjoyment), then you have a game that is incredibly capable and full of fun.

2) Transformers: Devastation (Multi)

Platinum Games' titles don't jump off store shelves and rake in gigantic boatloads of money, but the developer is so successful and keeps getting work because they're absolutely fantastic at creating fun games. This is no truer than Transformers: Devastation. A Transformers game made by the developers of Bayonetta and Vanquish, to name a couple? While the mainstream audience wouldn't know heads or tails of who Platinum Games is and their body of work, gamers should have jumped at the chance to play this game featuring the robots in disguise. It's a phenomenal action game that shouldn't have been overlooked, but unfortunately was.

1) Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS)

An unfortunate side effect of having a demo that failed to engage players, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. failed to light up sales charts in any territory. The demo put a lot of potential players off due to its slow enemy turns. This was understandably a big griping point for critics. However, soon after its launch, Nintendo released a patch offering the ability to fast forward through enemy turns, making what was a tedious experience far less so. Still, the damage was already done and it was too little too late for this turn-based tactical title. Nintendo gets a lot of grief for not coming out with a lot of new IP, so it was disappointing that one of their new IPs not named Splatoon didn't do hot by any stretch of the imagination.

The Unpopular Opinion 4: Games We Liked That Many Did Not

The staff at SuperPhillip Central loves games. We live them, we breathe them, we bathe with them, etc. However, we sometimes go outside the norm with our reviews, bashing titles that many others enjoyed, and heralding other games that have received poor scores or negative feedback within the gaming community. This article focuses on the latter type of games. As the title suggests, this is our second go at representing the games that a sizable chunk of gamers and critics lambasted yet we still enjoy. To check out the first, second, and third articles, click this link, this link and this link. After you're done reading our choices, why not list some of your own?

Dragon Ball: Xenoverse (PS4, XONE, PS3, 360)

Docked points by many critics for having shallow gameplay, repetitive battles, and a clunky camera, we still ended up enjoying Dragon Ball: Xenoverse for what it was. It was a Dragon Ball Z fan's dream come true, allowing deep character customization, a story that didn't mind moving away from the typical scenarios of past Dragon Ball Z games, and had a rich variety of characters, character archetypes, and mind-blowing anime graphics. If you're a lover of games with a multitude of customization options, RPG style gameplay, and intense aerial and ground battles, Dragon Ball: Xenoverse is the game for you.

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (3DS)

While we're not head over heels in love with the latest Legend of Zelda release from Nintendo, the game is a far cry from a disappointment. With The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, Nintendo took a different approach to the series, offering multiplayer for up to three friends or total strangers to go through the game's 32 levels, solving puzzles as a team, defeating foes as a team, and collecting loot to create new, advantageous costumes. While the lack of voice chat hurts the online experience when more complicated puzzles poke their head into the player's way, and the online setup in general isn't the most optimal, The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, an enjoyable and well designed level-wise multiplayer experience unlike any other was crafted by the fine folks at Nintendo.

Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS)

The majority of reviews slammed this next game from Intelligent Systems and Nintendo for the slow pace of enemy movement. Thankfully, Nintendo quickly patched in the ability to speed up enemy turns dramatically (either 2X on regular 3DS and 3DS XL models, or 3X on New 3DS models). This made for an experience that was much more tolerable and enjoyable than what was previously available to players. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. remains a challenging turn-based strategy game that requires patience and great strategy to complete. Since you're limited in your view to what your characters can see in their third-person views, smart tactical decisions must be made to stay alive and in one piece. It may not have sold anywhere near expectations (it actually bombed quite magnificently), but Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is far from a bad game.

Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash (3DS)

Many critics of this next 3DS game and fans of the Chibi-Robo! series in general came off disappointed by Zip Lash's 2D platformer direction, which went against everything the series had been up to this point, save for the 3DS photo game. That is a shame, as Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash is a well put together game, only marred by a bewildering addition of a level wheel that selects which level you'll play next in a given world. Fortunately, it's quite easy to get around the seemingly random picks of levels and get the levels you want, so this is not as big of an issue as many players and critics led us to believe. While the vehicles levels are the weakest part level-wise, Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash is all around an entertaining platformer with a lot of heart.

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (Wii U)

The main complaint of many behind Kirby and the Rainbow Curse was that it was unfortunate that players had to focus on the Wii U GamePad's screen when the game was so beautiful that it was a shame that they couldn't keep their attention on their television screen for the HD visuals. The lack of copying powers and repetitive boss encounters also saw points deducted by various sources. Still, the claymation art style delights, the stylus-driven gameplay is as innovative as it was when the Nintendo DS original Kirby Canvas Curse released, and the level design, though somewhat linear, houses  a profusion of captivating secrets and hidden treasures. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is by no means the best the Wii U had to offer this year for system owners, but it was also by no means the worst.

Legend of Kay Anniversary (PS4, Wii U, PS3, 360)

An imperfect 3D action/adventure game in every sense of the word, Legend of Kay Anniversary is a remastered version of the PlayStation 2 release Legend of Kay. Of all the games from the PS2 generation that could have been remastered or even remade, Legend of Kay was certainly an odd choice. Regardless, while the game suffers from plenty of problems such as the inability to return to past areas, grating voice work, and some repetitive combat and scenarios, Legend of Kay Anniversary is a very capable game whose budget price made it much easier to overlook the game's issues and become fun enough by SuperPhillip Central's standards.

Star Fox Adventures (GCN)

Shigeru Miyamoto suggested to Rare that instead of using an all-new protagonist and using the Dinosaur Planet new IP, Rare should bring in Fox McCloud and the Star Fox moniker to the game instead. Whether this was because Miyamoto figured the Star Fox license would work better for the game or because he knew that Microsoft would be soon buying Rare, and thus, taking the Dinosaur Planet IP with them is unknown. Regardless, this Zelda-like game was a far cry from what fans of the Star Fox franchise were expecting. However, the actual game, though not without its own problems, wound up as a captivating action/adventure title released in the first two years of the Nintendo GameCube's life. While not the desired finale to Rare's partnership with Nintendo's home consoles, Star Fox Adventures remains a compelling and enjoyable game.

Jet Force Gemini (N64)

Speaking of Rare-developed games, Jet Force Gemini's biggest annoyance to many fans is how in order to reach the final level, the final boss, and see the credits of the game, players need to rescue every Tribal in the game. This requires plenty of returning to past planets and areas to reach new locales within said planets and areas. While many saw this as pure filler, we at SuperPhillip Central found a new appreciation for the levels and planets we previously had explored. The collection and usage of new items opened up grand new areas that were a blast to journey through, mowing down Mizar's insect horde while rescuing innocent Tribals. Of course, it was a pain when we got a little trigger happy and blew the head off a Tribal and had to restart an area...

Banjo Pilot (GBA)

We just can't quit you, Rare! At least when it comes to The Unpopular Opinion 4. Rare has had many divisive games through its impressive lifespan, and one of the final games released on the Game Boy Advance by Rare was Banjo Pilot, a kart racer that originally starred the cast of the Donkey Kong Country series. There are still remnants of that game in the final product, such as the music, for instance. Banjo Pilot isn't a perfect arcade racing game, as the rubber-band AI is indeed an annoyance, but for all of its quirks, the game is in general fun to play. The colorful cast and areas of the Banjo-Kazooie franchise were well-represented in Banjo Pilot, and the actual flight mechanic felt great too. Sure, the game wasn't worth the five year wait for it, but the end product of Banjo Pilot isn't awful by any stretch of the imagination.

Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games - Part Seven

SuperPhillip Central's Most Overlooked series of articles, one of the oldest and longest-running on the site, is back! This time we're dealing with the Nintendo 3DS, a system that I argue has the most quality content across any platform this generation. Regardless of platform, however, there are bound to be games that we overlook, that are underrated, and games that just don't get their due diligence and time in the spotlight. The following five games may not have gotten the best scores, have the most mindshare, or have set the sales charts on fire, but they're still remarkable titles all the same.

For past parts of Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games, look no further than these six links:

Nintendo 3DS - Part One
Nintendo 3DS - Part Two 
Nintendo 3DS - Part Three
Nintendo 3DS - Part Four
Nintendo 3DS - Part Five
Nintendo 3DS - Part Six

LBX: Little Battlers eXperience

Based off the anime cartoon available on Nicktoons (at least here in the States where SuperPhillip Central resides), LBX: Little Battlers eXperience comes packed with customization options and parts to design the ultimate LBX battler depending on the opponent and the scenario. An intriguing story that surprisingly gets dark at some points (at least for a game meant for the younger demographic), great voice work, fast-paced and frenetic battles, and an abundance of replay value in both optional quests and just earning new LBX parts make for a game that should give Custom Robo fans their fix as well as anyone who just loves robot battles. Although selling well in Japan, this first LBX game for the West did not create a big spark in sales. A shame, as it's a highly addicting, massively fun game.

Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash

Beat down in reviews by most outlets and critics, Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash deserves much better than the lack of acclaim it received. Its biggest problem was the Destination Wheel, which players spun to determine what level they would play next instead of a traditional 1-1, 1-2, and then 1-3 structure. However, there are many ways to cheese the system and play the levels you want. For instance, after beating a world, you can choose any level in that world that you desire. Regardless, the actual gameplay of Zip Lash offers the ability to use Chibi-Robo's plug to whip enemies, grab and pull himself onto certain objects, hang from ceilings, and angle his plug to hit off multiple walls to reach out-of-the-way locations and items. The developers said that this could be the final Chibi-Robo! game if sales do not impress Nintendo. Going off by Japan's cold-as-the-stainless-steel-Chibi-Robo-is-made-of shoulder to the game, with the first week sales being less than 20,000, it seems this will be the case. Still, Zip Lash is one heck of a swan song for Nintendo's miniature robot.

Yoshi's New Island

It seems like a good time to talk about this next game, as SuperPhillip Central had just talked about Yoshi's Woolly World earlier this week. While Yoshi's New Island doesn't reach anywhere near the same heights of the either that Wii U game or the Super Nintendo original Yoshi's Island, it does deliver some quaint and cute fun. One of the best new features of this edition of Yoshi's Island is that you don't have to collect all 20 red coins, 5 flowers, and 20 hearts in one run. This was annoying and sometimes even aggravating to accomplish in the original Yoshi's Island. In that regard, Yoshi's New Island is an improvement. While the level design doesn't hit the same notes as the Super Nintendo classic, there are some clever ideas here and there, and some of the bonus stages will definitely test your platforming prowess, especially one that is all vertical and requires multiple well controlled bounces off Bullet Bills with seldom a steady platform to stay on. It's not the best Yoshi has to offer, but Yoshi's New Island is far from a bad game. Bad selling? Definitely.

Disney Magical World

Doing abundantly well in Japan, Disney Magical World in the West didn't receive as much attention from Nintendo 3DS owners. The game itself is a combination of simulation-style gameplay where interacting with Disney characters, running your own cafe, and acquiring materials to build furniture and costumes pieces and dungeon exploration. The latter has you fighting monsters, enemies, opening treasure chests, and plundering for materials. As you earn stickers that serve as a means to progress through the game, new shops, new areas, and new points of interest open up, allowing even more longevity to this already content-rich game. Bandai Namco recently announced a sequel to Disney Magical World, and this one will feature a Frozen world with a scenario written by crew members of the movie. It's SuperPhillip Central's hope that Nintendo will localize this sequel for those of us who enjoyed the original game.

Mercenaries Saga 2: Order of the Silver Eagle

For those craving a tactical RPG on a system with no Final Fantasy Tactics game to speak of, unlike the Nintendo 3DS's predecessors, the Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo DS, Mercenaries Saga 2: Order of the Silver Eagle is a highly competent and most importantly, very inexpensive 3DS eShop title. Don't confuse affordability with cheapness, nor think the game's quality is similar to its price. Mercenaries Saga 2 is an engaging RPG with a compelling story, excellent, though unoriginal tactical gameplay, and plenty of maps, strategy, and character types to partake in. It blows me away how a game similar to this would have been sixty dollars back in the Super Nintendo era, and now such a title is but a handful of dollars. We've come a long way, for certain.

Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash (3DS) Review

We continue this month with a new 2D platformer. Those aren't scarce on Nintendo systems by any means, but it's a fun genre all the same. This time it's Chibi-Robo's turn to star in one with Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash!

Zip it. Zip it good.

Chibi-Robo! is a franchise that is quite under-served, not just by gamers and consumers, but also a bit by Nintendo. His first game appeared on the GameCube, and it was a cult classic, although sales were less than stellar. Despite this, Nintendo continued with the series, though putting the chrome dome hero onto the Nintendo DS, which in North America was exclusive to Walmart stores of all places. Following that was a Photo Finder game on the Nintendo 3DS, which didn't feel up to snuff by any stretch of the imagination. Now, with what seems to be Chibi-Robo's final chance in the spotlight, he arrives in retail form on the 3DS with Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash. Even if Nintendo unplugs the franchise and titular character, at least it's with a game that is actually quite good.

Swing it around, then bring this foe down!

Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash may seem like a typical 2D platformer, but the mechanics make the game quite more interesting than the average game. Fans of the series known of our chrome dome hero's plug that is attached to his rear. Not only can he plug into outlets to restore watts (the lifeblood of Chibi-Robo-- if he has no watts left to use, it's game over), but he can use it to attack enemies by lashing it at them, he can use it to grab items, and he can hook onto orange tiles and pull himself up ledges or through otherwise impossible-to-pass areas.

Grab and pull yourself to these orange tiles with Chibi-Robo's whip.

With the eponymous Zip Lash technique, you can use Chibi-Robo to have his plug reach further distances. Collecting red and blue orbs makes his Zip Lash move reach farther out. Levels are specifically designed to take advantage of the fact that Chibi begins each one with the minimum Zip Lash distance. Otherwise you'd be able to skip huge parts of levels if the Zip Lash amount was cumulative. Having a large range with Chibi-Robo's Zip Lash technique allows him to throw it into walls, having it bank off them at an angle to reach out-of-the-way objects, items, enemies, and orange tiles.

Aim your Zip Lash to bank it off this wall to reach this orange tile.
Then you can pull yourself across these two chasms.

There is an ample amount of checkpoints in each level of Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash, allowing players both skilled and beginner to enjoy the game. Falling into a chasm results in returning to the last passed checkpoint while running out of batteries through enemy hits, falling into holes, and just the general passage of time means you have to restart the level from the beginning. Two items can be purchased from our hero's Chibi House: one restores an empty battery while the other propels Chibi-Robo out of holes he has fallen into.

Careful, Chibi-Robo-- water and electronics don't mix!

There are six main worlds in Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash, and each consists of six levels. The way about selecting a level is an overly gimmicky manner, the Destination Wheel. After beating the first level of a world, you get up to three spins on the Wheel that decides how many levels you move past. For instance, if you roll a three and you're on level 1-6, you'll skip levels 1-1, 1-2, and go to 1-3, as the level selection is a circle itself. Now, you can easily buy panels to place on the Destination Wheel to put the odds better in your favor, but it's also incredibly easy to get the spin you want. All you need to do is press the stop button as soon as the Wheel is on top of the number of levels you want to move, so if the Wheel is on "1" when you stop the Wheel, it'll usually end up landing on "1".

That said, since it's so easy to cheese the Wheel into giving you the correct level you want (I personally made it my goal to play the levels in order, so I always spun a "1"), what is even the point of the Destination Wheel in the first place, other than just to annoy some players? Getting stuck playing a level you've already completed because of a bad spin is not innovative. It's just stupid.

Levels in Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash feature a wide variety of different mechanics in them. Each level generally uses one concept which is slowly but surely expanded, starting out simple and ending with something more complex and/or challenging. From using the power of a fire outlet to set Chibi-Robo on fire to rush through levels, melting metal blocks, to racing on conveyor belts and slippery icy floors, Zip Lash has plenty of variety to keep players coming back for more.

Nothing like a fling in the forest to recharge one's batteries!
Oh, metaphorically speaking, of course.

Most levels follow traditional 2D platformer fare, but one level in each world is a vehicle-based level. These put Chibi-Robo in control (or lack thereof as it can feel at times) of one of three vehicles such as a rocket powered skateboard or a hot air balloon and charge him with avoiding enemies while keeping his quickly depleting battery power charged. The controls for the hot air balloon take some getting used to, and later vehicle stages become a real challenge. However, it's never unmanageable, and dare I say, I enjoyed these sections for the spice of variety they gave.

Each level comes with a selection of collectibles to go after for more proficient players. These include three star coins, three Chibi-Tot robots that wish for Chibi-Robo to catch them (if he can), and several snacks, usually found in bonus rooms and inside treasure chests. Finding these is very rewarding, as it shows off the creativity and cleverness of the level design-- much more than if you just run through a level to just reach the end.

Chibi-Robo's globetrotting adventure takes him
to places, well, (since he's so tiny) big and bigger!

The snacks in Zip Lash are real world candies, pretzels, crackers, and potato chips from all around the world. When one of these is properly delivered to one of the six toy characters in the game, information about these are given. Despite Zip Lash lacking dialogue for the most part, the sections where the toys offer their wisdom are some very funny or at least very cute exchanges, showing the Nintendo Treehouse localization team know their stuff and can tickle some funny bones.

Why does this game have to make me so hungry?

Returning to levels is not only recommended for getting loose collectibles, but a lost alien will be loose in some area (except in vehicle levels, of course). Taking this alien and placing it inside its UFO will allow you the chance of earning a new costume. Maybe you can even unlock some Nintendo-related ones! While you can interact with users on Miiverse to piece together parts of codes to unlock new costumes, all of the codes are available online on, say, a message board, so you can simply input them in Chibi-Robo's house's computer, rescue and return the alien to its UFO, and get a costume without all the fuss of figuring out what the codes are for yourself (or hoping you luck out and get a costume by pure chance through the natural method).

Hmm, Chibi-Robo... you certainly remind me of someone.

When all six levels of a world have been completed, it's time to take on a boss! These encounters start off innocently enough, but then they really utilize Zip Lash's mechanics in some truly remarkable and clever ways. You'll anchor Chibi-Robo to an orange tile just to avoid being sucked up an alien spacecraft, for instance. The boss battles are a lot of fun and add even more value to this incredible 2D platforming offering.

And a "howdy-do" to you, too, Robo-Roo!

Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash offers some lovely sights and sounds. The visuals are all 3D, and they look really nice with the 3D slider up. However, on some occasions there is an inexplicable frame-rate dip here and there, usually in rooms with a lot of enemies at once. On the sound side, the music is suitably catchy for the most part, offering synth instruments and lovely arrangements.

I'm at a loss for words as to why Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash is receiving such a... well... backlash from some. It's a highly original and competent 2D platformer with wonderful level design, plenty of content to keep players coming back for more, and charming characters, both good and "evil". Things like the fact that 2D platformers are no stranger to Nintendo platforms, some of the vehicle sections, and that darned Destination Wheel do detract from the delightful quality of the game, but overall, Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash does indeed lash, zip, and whip it good.

[SPC Says: B]